THEY ARE:
Uruguay is a country in South American which is now sadly best known for their mention in The Simpsons where Homer Simpson looks at a globe and comments “look at the name of this country: U R Gay”
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
With Manchester City-esqe kits Uruguay these days are something of the South American also rans, the poor relatives of Brazil and Argentina despite the fact that they won the first ever World Cup back in 1930. They then won the tournament again in 1950. They only just qualified for this tournament by beating Costa Rica over two legs in a play off after finishing only fifth in the South American qualification group.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
The first World Cup I ever watched was the 1986 tournament in Mexico and at the time I was a big fan of Denmark (especially Jan Molby) and Uruguay were in the same group as them, West Germany and Scotland which was that tournament’s “Group Of Death.” Famously against Scotland they had Jose Batista sent off after 56 seconds (a World Cup record that remains today) and then against Denmark they found themselves on the receiving end of a 6-1 defeat, a game that I watched over and over on the VHS tape it was on (and I still have).
IN 2010:
Having not qualified confidently they seem doomed to only get in the way although Group A isn’t necessarily the strongest in the tournament.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
These days it is Diego Forlan but back in the day it was Enzo Francescoli.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Telecommunications.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
Known for battling for independence.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM URUGUAY THAT I KNOW:
None.
QUOTE FROM A URUGUAYIAN:
Not coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
They’re usually tasty.
FINAL COMMENT:
Need to know.
Showing posts with label Group A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group A. Show all posts
Monday, 17 May 2010
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
SOUTH AFRICA
THEY ARE:
Possessing something of a checkered history, South Africa is the reformed nation of the world (with lots of effort from Mandela) who hosts this competition with a sense of the being rewarded.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
After having no official team during the apartheid years once back up and running they took no time in qualifying for the World Cup qualifying for the competitions in 1998 and 2002.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
Years ago Gary Bailey of Manchester United played a match for the Kaizer Chiefs which was perhaps the first time I ever saw a football from Africa. Over the years various players have made it to the Premier League including Benni McCarthy and Quinton Fortune although the team has never really achieved a status much above making up the numbers. This year things should change though.
IN 2010:
With the horns of a nation behind them and not necessarily the toughest group (Group A) they stand a more than fighting chance of progressing to the knock out rounds for the first time.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Benni McCarthy and Quinton Fortune.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Nelson Mandela.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
They also have a famous rugby team that was captained by Matt Damon and coached by Morgan Freeman. That and a history of racism.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM SOUTH AFRICAN THAT I KNOW:
Two – Carol and Bob.
QUOTE FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN:
Coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
I have to concede to have had issues with South African people in the past. As a result I know how to say “fuck off” and “I will kick your arse” in their native tongue. Even worse though I purposely mix them up with Australians.
FINAL COMMENT:
This is going to be a great World Cup thanks to South African and not Coca Cola branding etc.
Possessing something of a checkered history, South Africa is the reformed nation of the world (with lots of effort from Mandela) who hosts this competition with a sense of the being rewarded.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
After having no official team during the apartheid years once back up and running they took no time in qualifying for the World Cup qualifying for the competitions in 1998 and 2002.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
Years ago Gary Bailey of Manchester United played a match for the Kaizer Chiefs which was perhaps the first time I ever saw a football from Africa. Over the years various players have made it to the Premier League including Benni McCarthy and Quinton Fortune although the team has never really achieved a status much above making up the numbers. This year things should change though.
IN 2010:
With the horns of a nation behind them and not necessarily the toughest group (Group A) they stand a more than fighting chance of progressing to the knock out rounds for the first time.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Benni McCarthy and Quinton Fortune.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Nelson Mandela.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
They also have a famous rugby team that was captained by Matt Damon and coached by Morgan Freeman. That and a history of racism.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM SOUTH AFRICAN THAT I KNOW:
Two – Carol and Bob.
QUOTE FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN:
Coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
I have to concede to have had issues with South African people in the past. As a result I know how to say “fuck off” and “I will kick your arse” in their native tongue. Even worse though I purposely mix them up with Australians.
FINAL COMMENT:
This is going to be a great World Cup thanks to South African and not Coca Cola branding etc.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
MEXICO
THEY ARE:
They are a country that has the misfortune to border the USA. It does however have Tijuana which is regarded as party central.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
They have staged the World Cup twice in their history (1970 and 1986). With regards to play football they have never really posed much problem on the world circuit. In 1990 they were banned from the tournament for field ineligible players so there is a slightly shady side to their reputation.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
The first Mexican national team I ever encountered was the one with Hugo Sanchez in. He made them amazing and was genuinely at the time on of the best strikers on the planet.
IN 2010:
There are various players in the squad with Premiership ties and experience but nothing to really suggest that they are world beater footballers.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Hugo Sanchez the player that would do somersaults every time he scored for Mexico and/or Real Madrid. Additionally Pique is quite a memorable Mexican but he was just the mascot from Mexico 86.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Sombrero.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
Mexico is regarded as place people escape to, to go visit for a seedy vacation or for Americans to escape the law.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM MEXICAN THAT I KNOW:
I don’t know any Mexican people.
QUOTE FROM A MEXICAN:
Not coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes because from an opposition perspective they do not hold much threat but from an entertainment perspective they hold loads of promise and potential.
FINAL COMMENT:
Generally you’ll find that most teams that play in green shirts are decent outfits in one way or another.
They are a country that has the misfortune to border the USA. It does however have Tijuana which is regarded as party central.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
They have staged the World Cup twice in their history (1970 and 1986). With regards to play football they have never really posed much problem on the world circuit. In 1990 they were banned from the tournament for field ineligible players so there is a slightly shady side to their reputation.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
The first Mexican national team I ever encountered was the one with Hugo Sanchez in. He made them amazing and was genuinely at the time on of the best strikers on the planet.
IN 2010:
There are various players in the squad with Premiership ties and experience but nothing to really suggest that they are world beater footballers.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Hugo Sanchez the player that would do somersaults every time he scored for Mexico and/or Real Madrid. Additionally Pique is quite a memorable Mexican but he was just the mascot from Mexico 86.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Sombrero.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
Mexico is regarded as place people escape to, to go visit for a seedy vacation or for Americans to escape the law.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM MEXICAN THAT I KNOW:
I don’t know any Mexican people.
QUOTE FROM A MEXICAN:
Not coming.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes because from an opposition perspective they do not hold much threat but from an entertainment perspective they hold loads of promise and potential.
FINAL COMMENT:
Generally you’ll find that most teams that play in green shirts are decent outfits in one way or another.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
FRANCE
THEY ARE:
France needs no introduction for any Englishman. In France we hold a long standing disdain and rivalry.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
The French footballing legacy is a strong one that begins with Michel Platini a player that at one time was considered toe-to-toe with Maradona on the skills front. He never quite got that far but he certainly has a fine legacy of his own. Post Platini after a few lean years they came back as a force
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
They were long time underachievers until in 1998 they surprised the World Cup by defeating the much fancied Brazilian team that included Ronaldo (the other one), winning 3-0 in the final on home turf. Two years later they then won the 2000 European Championships for a second time.
IN 2010:
They are not really a very good team despite having a number of fantastic names in their squad. The players are getting old now but the real issue appears to be with their Eugene Levy lookalike manager Raymond Domenech. He is not a popular and eccentric with it, something I am sure he now plays up to. Regardless of what happens, he will get the blame for the failure in these finals.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Obviously most famous is Platini but also one of my all time favourite players in Eric Cantona. After issues with The Man he never really quite achieved what he should have on the international level. In recent times Zidane and Henry have been world beaters.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
The Eiffel Tower.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
The French have a reputation for being snobbish but stylish and kings of cuisine and culture. In a way should such snobbishness exist it is deserved. The country has produced people such as Serge Gainsbourg. It is pretty magnificent.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM FRANCE THAT I KNOW:
None.
QUOTE FROM A FRENCHMAN:
Sadly none.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes I do. As a nation of people they carry themselves well and fortunately should England have to play them I don’t think they would be too difficult to defeat.
FINAL COMMENT:
My French teacher at school was Mrs Moulton. She was a badass.
France needs no introduction for any Englishman. In France we hold a long standing disdain and rivalry.
AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
The French footballing legacy is a strong one that begins with Michel Platini a player that at one time was considered toe-to-toe with Maradona on the skills front. He never quite got that far but he certainly has a fine legacy of his own. Post Platini after a few lean years they came back as a force
MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
They were long time underachievers until in 1998 they surprised the World Cup by defeating the much fancied Brazilian team that included Ronaldo (the other one), winning 3-0 in the final on home turf. Two years later they then won the 2000 European Championships for a second time.
IN 2010:
They are not really a very good team despite having a number of fantastic names in their squad. The players are getting old now but the real issue appears to be with their Eugene Levy lookalike manager Raymond Domenech. He is not a popular and eccentric with it, something I am sure he now plays up to. Regardless of what happens, he will get the blame for the failure in these finals.
FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Obviously most famous is Platini but also one of my all time favourite players in Eric Cantona. After issues with The Man he never really quite achieved what he should have on the international level. In recent times Zidane and Henry have been world beaters.
MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
The Eiffel Tower.
AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
The French have a reputation for being snobbish but stylish and kings of cuisine and culture. In a way should such snobbishness exist it is deserved. The country has produced people such as Serge Gainsbourg. It is pretty magnificent.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM FRANCE THAT I KNOW:
None.
QUOTE FROM A FRENCHMAN:
Sadly none.
DO I LIKE THEM:
Yes I do. As a nation of people they carry themselves well and fortunately should England have to play them I don’t think they would be too difficult to defeat.
FINAL COMMENT:
My French teacher at school was Mrs Moulton. She was a badass.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
